German court sanctions Sept 18 election date

Germany’s highest court today ruled that federal elections can go ahead as planned on September 18, dismissing complaints against the early vote from two politicians.

The Federal Constitutional Court’s decision removed the final obstacle to Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder’s drive to hold elections a year ahead of schedule.

Campaigning is already in full swing. “The complaints are rejected,” presiding Judge Winfried Hassemer told the court in Karlsruhe in a televised ruling.

Hassemer added that “we made a clear decision”, with the panel of judges that heard the case voting 7-1 in favour of allowing the elections to go ahead.

Schroeder launched the push for early elections in May after his Social Democrats suffered a stinging defeat in a key state election.

He said he needed a new mandate for a reform program that has so far failed to revive Germany’s economy, Europe’s largest.